City vs. Land: birth rate in Baden -Württemberg - an analysis

City vs. Land: birth rate in Baden -Württemberg - an analysis

birth decline in Baden-Württemberg and regional differences

The birth rate in Baden-Württemberg fell in 2023 compared to the previous year. According to the State Statistical Office, a total of 98,400 children were born alive, which corresponds to a decline of 6,100 children compared to 2022. The average number of children per woman was 1.44 children in 2023, while in 2022 it was still 1.50. This is the first time since 2014 that the total number of newborns was below 100,000.

regional differences in the birth rate

The differences in the number of children per woman within Baden-Württemberg are interesting. In 2023, the Rottweil district had the highest birth rate with 1.75 children per woman, followed by the districts of Tuttlingen and Calw with 1.69 each. The districts of Heidelberg (0.94) and Stuttgart (1.12) as well as Freiburg im Breisgau and Karlsruhe (both 1.15) showed comparatively low birth rates.

Influence of urban and land areas on the birth rate

The regional differences are partially explained by a “city-country gradient”. In rural areas, the number of children per woman tends to be higher than in urban areas. Especially in student cities like Heidelberg, the birth rate is comparatively low due to the young population, which is mainly concerned with studying and starting your career. In addition, there is a connection between the level of education of women and the number of children born, whereby the birth rate seems to lose weight with increasing levels of education.

The decline in the birth rate in Baden-Württemberg illustrates the challenges that the state is facing its demographic development. The regional differences in the number of children per woman show the variety of living conditions and priorities within the federal state. It remains to be seen which measures are taken to slow this trend and to maintain the balance in the population in the long term.

- Nag